Ghana Tours & Holidays

At this stage we don't have any organised trips to Ghana.
That said, Intrepid can create tailor-made tours to many destinations, including Ghana. Our fully customised trips still offer the same small group experiences with local leaders, but made just the way you want it. Simply fill out your details on our Tailor-Made page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch.
Ghana at a glance
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CAPITAL CITY
Accra (population 2 million)
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POPULATION
24.3 million
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CURRENCY
GHS
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LANGUAGE
English
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TIME ZONE
(GMT) Greenwich Mean Time : Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
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CALLING CODE
+233
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ELECTRICITY
Type D (Old British 3-pin) Type G (Irish/British 3-pin)
Learn more about Ghana
Best time to visit Ghana
Ghana is hot and humid all-year round, with the temperature usually around 30 degrees Celsius - the perfect, tropical climate to hit the beach. The most comfortable time for travelling is during the dry season from November to March, when less rain is present. April to October is the wet season with the amount of rainfall varying throughout the country.
Geography and environment
Located in West Africa and bordered by Burkina Faso, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire and the Atlantic Ocean, Ghana has a vast array of different terrain. From savanna and woodlands in the far north to steamy rainforests, palm-studded beaches and lagoons, modern cities and tiny villages, travelling through Ghana reveals a cavalcade of topographic change. Lake Volta and Lake Bosumtwi act as important sources of water for farmers, with many rivers, tributaries and channels carrying the water throughout the country. Furthermore, Lake Volta's Akosombo Dam generates large amounts of hydroelectricity for Ghana and neighbouring countries.
Street food favourites of Ghana
1. Fufu
This Ghanaian staple can be found all over the country and isn't only a food but also an eating utensil too. Consisting of pounded cassava or yam, mixed with mashed plantain, fufu is rolled up into a ball and used to scoop up soup or stew, then eaten - a tasty multi-tasker!
2. Jollof rice
Thought to have been created in Gambia, this big pot of seasoned rice is one of Ghana's most flavoursome dishes. White rice is cooked in coconut oil and stock with tomato paste, sale, spices and chilli to create a spicy, hearty, dish perfect for backpackers on a budget.
3. Kelewele
This dish of fried plantains spiced with cayenne pepper, chilli powder, nutmeg, cloves and salt is a popular snack food sold by street vendors and market stalls. Choose to eat alone as a snack or served with stews or rice.
4. Kenkey
This staple dish popular throughout West Africa is made by fermenting ground maize, then cooking in banana leaves or foil. Kenkey can be served alongside hot sauce, gravy and/or fish.
5. Kyinkyinga
With beef representing a luxury to many in Ghana, this West Africa version of the kebab is a true street food delicacy. Featuring seasoned meat (usually beef), onions, peanuts, capsicum, tomatoes, garlic and chilli served with rice, salad or bread, this is a tasty meal full of flavour.
Further reading
Title | Author |
Changes: A Love Story | Ama Ata Aidoo |
Wife of the Gods | Kwei Quartey |
Children of the Street | Kwei Quartey |
Search Sweet Country | Kojo Laing |
The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhay | P. and F. McKissack |
Ghana travel FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
GHANA:
Australia: Yes - in advance
Belgium: Yes - in advance
Canada: Yes - in advance
Germany: Yes - in advance
Ireland: Yes - in advance
Netherlands: Yes - in advance
New Zealand: Yes - in advance
South Africa: Yes - in advance
Switzerland: Yes - in advance
United Kingdom: Yes - in advance
USA: Yes - in advance
Visas need to be obtained before arriving, these allow for a stay of up to 60 days and can be a single or multiple entry. A Yellow Fever certificate may be required for the application. Visas must be used within three months of the date of issue. If you are entering Ghana on an overland trip please contact your local embassy to do this as it's no longer possible to obtain these visas en route.
Tipping isn't mandatory or customary in Ghana, however tipping restaurant and bar staff to show your appreciation for good service is considered polite.
Travellers will be able to access the internet at cyber cafes in Ghana's large cities and towns frequented by tourists. Expect little to no internet access in remote and rural areas.
Mobile phone coverage is generally available in Ghana's large cities and tourist towns. Rural and remote areas may have less network coverage. Remember to activate global roaming with your service provider before leaving home.
Ghana has a mix of squat toilets and flushable toilets. As a developing nation, expect to adjust to different levels of sanitation. Always carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser as these are rarely provided.
One hour in an internet café = 1-2 GHS
Street food/market snack = 2-2.50 GHS
Bottle of beer = 2-3 GHS
Meal in a cafe = 4-8 GHS
Tap water isn't considered safe for tourists to drink. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Ask your leader and accommodation provider for local advice on where drinking water can be accessed. Also, avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit before eating.
Credit cards are used in Ghana, but not all establishments will accept credit. Large hotels, restaurants and tourist service providers usually accept credit cards, but expect smaller operators and shops to accept cash only. Credit card fraud is quite common in Ghana, so take necessary precautions when paying with plastic.
ATMs are relatively easy to find in Ghana's cities and areas frequented by tourists. If travelling through rural and remote areas, be aware that there will be limited access to ATMs. Visa cards are generally the best choice, since other international cards may not be accepted by ATMs in Ghana.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
- 1 Jan New Year's Day
- 2 Jan New Year Holiday
- 6 Mar Independence Day
- 14 Apr Good Friday
- 17 Apr Easter Monday
- 1 May May Day
- 25 May Africa Unity Day
- 25 Jun Eid al-Fitr / End of Ramadan
- 1 Jul Republic Day
- 2 Jul Republic Day Holiday
- 1 Sep Eid al-Adha / Feast of Sacrifice
- 21 Sep Founders' Day
- 1 Dec Farmers' Day
- 25 Dec Christmas Day
- 26 Dec Boxing Day
Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in Ghana go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/ghana/public-holidays
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
From Canada?
Go to: https://travel.gc.ca/
From the UK?
Go to: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/
From New Zealand?
Go to: http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
From the US?
Go to: http://travel.state.gov/
The World Health Organisation
also provides useful health information. Go to: http://www.who.int/en/